Youth Support Worker jobs in Bedfordshire

As part of a new service development supported by charitable funding, we have an opportunity for an enthusiastic and motivated Youth Participation Worker to join our team. This post will support the development of a project aiming to increase participation of children and young people living with long term conditions in shaping the services that support them at Bedfordshire Hospitals.

The ideal post-holder will have experience of working with children, young people, and families, as well as experience of participation, advocacy, or consultation. It will suit someone who is creative, organised, self-motivated, and with genuine interest in improving the lives of children, young people, and families living with long-term conditions.

You will be supported in your role by staff within the paediatric department, and will be based within and supported by the Paediatric Psychology Service . Psychology is a valued part of our hospital’s approach to patient care, and we work closely with multidisciplinary colleagues to support our children and families to thrive.

We are happy to consider applications from people working towards a career in the psychological professions, as well as those from other professional backgrounds which meet the post requirements.

This post will support the development of a project aiming to increase participation of children and young people living with long term conditions in shaping the services that support them at Bedfordshire Hospitals. You will lead on the coordination of spaces for young people to meet and be involved in co-producing events which are aimed at peer support and early intervention to support the emotional adjustment and wellbeing of children and young people living with long-term conditions and their families, ensuring that their involvement is meaningful and appropriate.

The role will have two main aims; firstly, to lead on the establishment of a young people’s advisory group made up of young local residents living with long-term conditions, and secondly, together with the advisory group, to develop and trial pilot projects which support the wellbeing of young people with long-term conditions.

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics. You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.

Our values

We not only recruit based on qualifications and experience - we recruit individuals who demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. We achieve this by using values based recruitment. We are dedicated to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone, we are committed to promoting equality and diversity, and creating a culture that values differences.

Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering first 6 months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required. Please review all documents attached to ensure you familiarize yourself with all requirements of the job

Key Responsibilities:
Increase participation by children, young people, parents and carers involved with Bedfordshire Hospitals in shaping the services available to them by developing and coordinating a young people’s advisory group of young people with lived experience of health conditions

Together with the group, complete wider scoping with young hospital patients to find out what support, activities and resources they might engage with

Based on feedback from young people, to develop events or projects which promote and support the wellbeing of young people with long-term conditions

Mapping of existing local resources, and engagement with potential community partners as well as internal stakeholders who may be able to support programme delivery

Delivery of the planned events, and collection of relevant outcome data to evidence their impact